Plan would hold line on fees

The Basehor-Linwood school district is looking at ways to save money on driver's education costs.

On Monday, school board members were told by Don Swartz, director of business and facilities, that he hoped the district could save at least $3,500 by allowing students to drive vans this summer. The use of vans would replace the use of rental cars, he said.

"We won't have to raise the cost to students," Swartz said.

District personnel plan to retrofit two vans with passenger-side brakes and signs.

The district currently charges $185 for students to take driver's education, and Swartz said that without the move to mini-vans, the district would have to increase that fee.

In other action Monday night, board members:

Heard from Janet Waugh, a state board of education member who represents this area. Waugh, who said she served 16 years on her local school board, said she's proud of the Basehor-Linwood school district. She noted that her son lives in Linwood and that he taught at the high school for several years. "If I were raising my children today, I would live in either Basehor-Linwood or Tonganoxie," she said.

Reviewed the district's capital outlay wish list. Swartz said that at future meetings board members will be asked to approve individual items on the list. "We never buy everything on the list," he said, "but we do progress through the list."

Approved, 6-1, with board member Dayna Miller opposed, contracts for these administrators: Dick Drennon, head of maintenance and grounds; Bill Hatfield, assistant superintendent; Michael Kravets, director of technology; and Don Swartz, director of business and facilities.

Approved, 7-0, hiring Nancy Silverforb as counselor at the high school for next year.

Approved the 2006-2007 school calendar. Under the calendar, the first day of school for kindergartners through ninth-graders will be Aug. 14. Sophomores, juniors and seniors will begin school on Aug. 15. Winter break for students is set for Dec. 20 through Jan. 3, and spring break will be the week of March 19. High school commencement is set for May 17. And the last day of school for students will be May 23.

Approved, 7-0, resignations of Chris Rock and Emily Jennings, who are moving from the district.